Preface:
Learning Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML) is like learning any new language, computer or human. Most students first immerse themselves in examples. Studying others is a natural way to learn, making learning easy and fun. Our advice to anyone wanting to learn HTML and XHTML is to get out there on the World Wide Web with a suitable browser and see for yourself what looks good, what’s effective, what works for you. Examine others’ documents and ponder the possibilities. Mimicry is how many of the current webmasters have learned the language.Imitation can take you only so far, though. Examples can be both good and bad. Learning by example will help you talk the talk, but not walk the walk. To become truly conversant, you must learn how to use the language appropriately in many different situations. You could learn all that by example, if you live long enough.Remember, too, that computer-based languages are more explicit than human languages. You’ve got to get the language syntax correct or it won’t work. Then, too, there is the problem of “standards.” Committees of academics and industry experts define the proper syntax and usage of a computer language like HTML. The problem is that browser manufacturers like Netscape Communications Corporation (now an America Online company) and Microsoft Corporation choose the parts of the standard they will use and which parts they will ignore. They even make up their own parts, which may eventually become standards.
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